J. Koska et Ls. Berman, PROLONGED NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKADE FOR RELAXATION IN 2 PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE-CARE PATIENTS, Journal of clinical anesthesia, 6(1), 1994, pp. 69-73
Newer neuromuscular blocking drugs provide optimum blockade and can fa
cilitate ventilation, yet if they are discontinued, they allow predict
able reversal. This article documents the use of these drugs in the tr
eatment of two pediatric intensive care unit patients who had differen
t physiologic problems and pharmacologic needs and who were ventilator
dependent for a prolonged period. In each case, neuromuscular blockad
e significantly facilitated ventilation and allowed time for treatment
of the underlying pathology without deleterious pharmacologic side ef
fects resulting in a favorable outcome for both patients. The article
discusses some of the unique pharmacolagic properties of these drugs a
nd the rationale for their use.